The perfect setting for a historical unveiling

The American Legion

Aug 08, 2018Aug 08, 2018

In early August, Legionnaire Keith LaMee stood up in front of 25 or so people at American Legion Post 5 in Colorado Springs, Colo., and helped introduce a new U.S. Postal Service stamp commemorating the World War I centennial.

Being able to be a part of the ceremony – the master of ceremony, in fact – meant a lot to the Paid-Up-For-Life member of The American Legion.

“I thought it was a great honor,” said LaMee, a past post commander and adjutant. “I love history. All the artifacts that were around (the unveiling) were, for the most part, my personal items. It was just the right place for this.”

LaMee, who works for the U.S. Postal Service, was able to use his contacts to bring the unveiling ceremony to Post 5. American Legion Family state leadership attended the ceremony, including Senior Vice Commander Dean Noechel and Sons of The American Legion Detachment Commander Ron Noakes.

The stamp, the “Turning the Tide,” was designed by USPS Art Director Greg Breeding and was based on an illustration by Mark Stutzman. The stamp features a doughboy holding a U.S. flag against a backdrop of smoke, barbed wire and biplanes flying overhead.

Post 5 was chartered in 1919 and was, to LaMee, a perfect place to unveil the stamp. “Without World War I there’s no American Legion,” he said. “It was all founded by our forefathers that serves, and it was just kind of apropos. The doughboy that they picture is an artillery officer. Our first post commander in 1919 served in the artillery. And Post 5 is the oldest Legion post in Colorado Springs.”